Melbourne Art Fair 2014 · Lucas Grogan

Details from the studio of Melbourne artist Lucas Grogan, showcasing his strict 'blue only' policy.  We were particularly impressed with his Statue of David used as headphone holder! Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Detail from 'a Pale Blue Dot' by Lucas Grogan, currently showing at Martin Browne Contemporary in Sydney.

Lucas working on his piece 'Cemetery' which will be exhibition with Gallerysmith at the Melbourne Art Fair, which opens this week. Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Details from Lucas Grogan's Brunswick studio. Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Melbourne-based artist Lucas Grogan in his Brunswick studio. Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

It's been a long time since we've covered the work of one of our favourite Melbourne artists, Lucas Grogan, and BOY has he had a busy few years!  Inbetween large scale public commissions and exhibitions both on home soil and internationally, this is one young Australian artist whose star is well and truly on the rise. Lucas takes the term 'prolific' to another level.  In the past eighteen months alone, he has completed 5 major site specific public works, including a wall painting at Old Man’s Canggu in Bali, Indonesia (2013), a much-photographed (and instagrammed!) private commission on the exterior facade of a residential home in Fitzroy (2013), a large scale mural called SEE I TOLD YOU for Newcastle Art Gallery (2014), another mural called YEAH YEAH YEAH in Fremantle (2014) and most recently, an incredible installation called Waterfall for a new building in Haymarket, Sydney, made from over 250,000 glass beads on wire - which moves! The above-mentioned projects complement a seemingly super-human schedule of exhibitions both here and abroad, including projects in Hong Kong, Beijing, New York and across Australia.  For someone whose work is characterised by such fine linework and meticulous attention to detail, Lucas' consistent creative output is nothing short of mind boggling!  He is, quite simply, one of the most disciplined and driven artists we know. In the lead up to the Melbourne Art Fair, which opens in Melbourne tomorrow, we asked  Lucas about his latest exploits, and what we can expect to see from him at the fair -

HEY Lucas, it's been a while since we last featured you, what have you been up to in recent years?

It's been very busy, which has been brilliant. I have been lucky enough to be keeping myself busy doing exhibitions and projects in Hong Kong, Beijing, Bali, New York and all over Australia. Aside from the public projects you already mentioned, I’m also currently exhibiting my first solo exhibition WIZDOM at Martin Browne Contemporary in Sydney, which ends this Sunday August 17th. This show features paintings as well as mixed media works including cross stitch and a 2 metre wide hand embroidered 'Wedding Quilt'.

What inspired the body of work that you will be showing at Melbourne Art Fair this week?

In previous bodies of work I have always tried to achieve a sense of movement by using detailed patterns, however for Gallerysmith’s exhibition at the Melbourne Art Fair, I've taken this one step further.  All fourteen works have been mounted onto motors that spin continuously. Combining text sourced from conversations, prayers and song lyrics with hoards of ghosts, tombstones and roulette wheels - the works have a playful yet menacing presence. The works rotate endlessly, forming an almost meditative, hypnotic vortex of different problems, obsessions and insights.

What are you looking forward to?

I’m excited about my collaboration with FAUX as part of their Australian Artist Series porcelain editions. There are four different pieces, each produced in an edition of 100, due for release in September.

One of Lucas' hand rendered designs for his limited edition porcelain series, due for release next month.

I’m also excited about my collaboration with SKARFE and our three different cotton scarves, which will be available in November this year. My next solo exhibition at Hugo Michell Gallery in Adelaide will be in November, where I’ll be exhibiting my huge mountain quilt that I’m currently making from scraps of fabric sourced from people off Instagram!

Catch Lucas' work at Gallerysmith, stand C107 at The Melbourne Art Fair this Wednesday Aug 13th - Sunday August 17th 2014. Lucas Grogan is represented by Gallerysmith, Melbourne, Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide and Martin Browne Contemporary, Sydney.

You've got to love total commitment to a colour palette.... Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

'Good Boy' by Lucas Grogan, to be exhibited  with Gallerysmith at the Melbourne Art Fair this week. Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

More works from Lucas for the Melbourne Art Fair, these new circular works are designed to spin like a roulette wheel. Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.